Recreation and Tourism

Walking trails classification and improvement project

Walking is the easiest physical activity for many Victorians to undertake and is the most popular physical activity undertaken in Victoria's parks and forests. Victoria has more than 2,000 trails with a total length of some 8,000 kilometres. These walks vary from short walks of a few hundred metres to long-distance trails that take many days to traverse. Victoria’s network of walking trails range across diverse landscapes and environments and provide for a great variety of experiences. However, there are no standards for trail classification that make it easy for the public to choose the trail that is suitable to their skills and level of fitness. Victorian trails are currently not classified in a uniformly consistent way. The different trail classification systems in use can be confusing to the public and may act as a deterrent to people undertaking walks, particularly to less confident and able walkers. Trail classifications are a primary means of marketing and promoting walking trails and enable trail users to gauge whether a particular trail is suitable for them. Whilst there is an Australian Standard for walking trail construction (AS 2156.1), there is no Australian Standard to classify or grade the trail walking experience. The lack of an agreed trail classification standard for Statewide use (which addresses signage, trail rating and degree of difficulty) limits the accessibility and use of walking trails for recreation and physical activity. The need for uniform trail classification standards was highlighted as a key action from the Victorian Trails Strategy 2005-2010.

This project works across agencies and key stakeholders to develop a uniform trail classification system for walking trails. It will ensure that the physical activity benefits gained by users of Victoria’s walking trail network are maximised by making it easier for people to select walks that suit their needs.

The initial research phase is complete. This research identified the classification systems in use across Australia. A second piece of research tested aspects of various systems, and some complete classification systems on walkers of varying abilities. The results of these two research projects are attached below.

In addition, there was an opportunity to assess the interest in developing a national classification system for walking trails. The major land management agencies across Australia were consulted during the first year of the project with a view to developing a consistent system that could be applied nationally. Agreement has been received from major land management agencies in all the Australian states and territories to work together towards a national classifiaction system for walking trails. A Technical Reference Group (TRG) has been formed with a representative from each state and territory as well as Tourism Australia. The TRG met for the first time in Melbourne on 14 April 2008. Minutes of this meeting can be found below.

The Project is funded for four years under the 'Go For Your Life' initiative.

For more information on this project please contact Hanut Dodd on 03 9637 8957 or email hanut.dodd@dse.vic.gov.au

Overview of Existing Walking Trail Classification Systems (PDF - 363 Kb)

Walking Trails Project Newsletter January 08 (PDF - 137 KB)

Walking Trails Project Newsletter May 08 (PDF - 226 KB)

Walking Trails newsletter - August 08 (PDF - 261 KB)

Walking Trails Newsletter Dec 08 (PDF - 178 KB)

Walking Trails Project March Newsletter 2009 (PDF - 293 KB)

TRG Meeting no1 minutes 14-04-08 (PDF - 33 KB)